Shravan Somvar/ Sawan Shivratri Vrat/ Maha Shivratri Vrat/ are sacred Vrata, which people observe to please Lord Shiva. People perform sacred Vrat, Puja, Rudrabhishek, offer Belpatra, Prasad, Jal, and Panchamrit, and dedicate this to Lord Shiva, and Goddess Parvati to get relief from Pitra Dosha.
Shravan Somvar refers to the Mondays that fall in the Hindu month of Sawan or Shravan. Shravan month usually falls between July and August in the Gregorian Calendar.
This auspicious month is dedicated to Lord Shiva. People observe rituals and fasting on Mondays to seek the blessings of lord Shiva.
Shravan Somvar Vrat in Shravan
States, where people follow Purnimanta Calendar for Shravan Somvar Vrat, are as follows:
Punjab, Himachal, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and all of North India observe one of the most auspicious fasts, Shravan Somvar.
People follow the Purnimanta calendar in the above northern states. A new month begins in these regions after Purnima, i.e. full moon, and ends on the next Purnima or Puranmasi, from Krishna Paksha.
The first Shravan month starts in 2023 from 4th July.
Adhika Shravan Maas/ an extra Shravan month
There is an extra Shravan month i.e. Adhika Maas which also starts in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh on the same date. This extra Adhika Maas starts from 18 July and ends on 16 August 2023.
States where people follow Amavasyanta Calendar for Shravan Somvar Vrat are as follows:
In Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh people follow Amavasyanta calendar. A new month starts in these southern and western states after fifteen days, i e. from Shukla Paksha.
Due to Adhika Shravan Maas, which is Amavasyanta Shravan month, Shravan begins on August 17. Shravan ends on September 15, 2023.
In Nepal Shravan month starts on 16 July and first Shravan Somvar Vrat begins on July 17, 2023.
Dates for important Vrat and festivals/ Mahashivratri Vrat 2023
Maha Shivratri Vrat or Falgun Maha Shivratri Vrat 2023
Falgun Maha Shivratri Vrat will be on Saturday, February 18, 2023.
Devotees observe fast (Vrata), visit a temple, small or big, and perform Puja, holy Jalabhishek or Rudrabhishek. They offer Prasad to Lord Shiva, chant Mantra, and perform Arti to get blessings from Lord Shiva on Falgun Maha Shivratri.
One should pray and seek blessings to get rid of Pitra Dosh’s effects, and prolonged illness and achieve health, wealth, happiness, and all-around prosperity.
Falgun/ Mahashivratri date Puja Muhurat
Puja Muhurat is from 12:27 AM to 01:17 AM on 19th February, 2023- Nishith Kaal.
Chaturdashi Tithi begins at 08: 02 PM,18 Feb. 2023.
Chaturdashi Tithi ends at 04:18 PM, on 19 Feb. 2023
Ratri, Four Prahar Puja Timings during the night are as follows:
Pratham Prahar: 06:13 PM to 09:24 PM,18 Feb.
Dwitiya Prahar: 09:24 PM to 12: 35 AM,19 Feb.
Tritiya Prahar: 12:35 to 03:46 AM, 19 Feb.
Chaturtha Prahar: 03:46 to 06:46 AM, 19 Feb.
Mahashivratri Paran timings: 06:56 AM to 03:24 PM, 19 Feb. 2023.
According to Hindu Panchanga, all the Mondays or Somvar of Shravan are very auspicious.
Mangala Gauri Vrat in Shravan Maas
All the Tuesdays or Mangalvar of Shravan Month or Sawan Maas are also very significant. People observe Mangala Gauri Vrat on Tuesdays.
Shravan Somvar Vrat (Purnimanta calendar) in 2023
Mondays of Shravan Maas are dedicated to Shiva for worship. Tuesdays of Shravan month are dedicated to Goddess Parvati for Puja (prayers).
Shravan Somvar Vrat will be eight in numbers, this year due to Adhik Maas.
Sawan Maas or Shravan Maas which starts on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, and ends on August 31, Thursday, is based on the Purnimanta calendar.
Shravan Somvar Vrat (Purnimanta Calendar) dates in 2023
First Shravan Somvar Vrat: 10 July 2023.
Second Shravan Somvar Vrat: 17 July 2023.
Third Shravan Somvar Vrat: 24 July 2023.
Fourth Shravan Somvar Vrat: 31 July 2023.
Shravan Somvar Vrat (Amavasyanta calendar) dates in 2023
First Shravan Somvar Vrat: 21 August 2023
Second Shravan Somvar Vrat: 28 August 2023
Third Shravan Somvar Vrat: 4 September 2023
Fourth Shravan Somvar Vrat: 11 September 2023.
Shravan Mangala Gauri Vrat, dates 2023
Women observe Mangala Gauri Vrat on Tuesdays of Shravan in India and Nepal for the well-being of their husbands.
They observe Mangala Gauri Vrat on Tuesdays, which comes on the next day after the Shravan Somvar Vrat.
This year Mangala Gauri Vrat will be nine in numbers due to Adhika Maas.
The dates for Mangala Gauri Vrat
The dates for observing Mangala Gauri Vrat are July 4, July 11, July 18, and July 25, 2023.
August 1, August 8, August 15, August 22, and August 29, 2023.
Many significant and auspicious Vrata/ Vrat and festivals happen in the holy month of Sawan Maas, which are as follows:
Raksha Bandhan, Hariyali Teej, Nag Panchami, Mangala Gauri Vrat, Sawan Shivaratri Vrat, and Hariyali Amavasya.
Sawan Shivaratri Vrat date 2023
Sawan Shivaratri Vrat will be on July 15, Saturday (Shanivar). This year’s Sawan Shivaratri is very significant for Snan-daan as it falls on a Saturday.
Hariyali Amavasya date 2023
This Hariyali Amavasya falls on a Monday, July 17, 2023, this Amavasya is also known as Shravan Somvati Amavasya. it is a very important Tithi for snan-daan. One can get rid of Pitra Dosha by performing remedial rituals.
Hariyali Teej date 2023
Hariyali Teej falls on August 19, 2023, this year.
The other names of Hariyali Teej are Sawan Teej and Hariyali Teej.
People celebrate Hariyali Teej in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, and Rajasthan. Sawan Teej is also observed in Nepal with great enthusiasm.
This is a very auspicious day for keeping fast for the safety and well-being of their family.
A fast, festival of enjoyment for women
Unmarried women, those who want to marry good husbands also keep this fast.
Women enjoy this day by wearing green saree and ornaments, applying henna on their hands, and getting up in full makeup to look beautiful. They sing folk songs on swings.
Nag Panchami date 2023
Nag Panchami is on Shukla Paksha Panchami of Shravan, on August 21, 2023.
Raksha Bandhan date 2023
Raksha Bandhan or Rakhi festival is observed by brothers and sisters on the last day of Shravan, i.e. Shravan Purnima.
Shravan Purnima happens on 30 August, which is not under inauspicious Bhadra effect on Wednesday morning. As there is no presence of Bhadra Tithi, Raksha Bandhan will be celebrated on this day.
Shravan Purnima will be present at the time of sunrise, so this festival will be celebrated on Wednesday morning, August 30, 2023.
Maha Shivratri Vrat, Puja and significance-Falgun, 2023
Maha Shivratri is believed to be the day of the marriage of Lord Shiv And Goddess Parvati.
Falgun Maas Shivaratri is one the most auspicious Tithi (day) for the devotees to worship Lord Shiva and perform Puja rituals in the month of Falgun.
Maha Shivratri Vrat 2023 commences for the devotees (Shav and Vaishnav) on Saturday, 18th February.
It continues till the next day, i.e. on Sunday, for the devotees (Shav and Vaishnava), in North India.
Paran will be on Sunday, February 19, 2023 (North India), this year.
Performing Mahashivratri Vrat and Puja rituals
In India, people perform Mahashivratri Vrat and Puja rituals, during the month of Falgun, with great devotion in different parts of India and across the world.
This year’s Shivratri Vrat begins in the auspicious, Uttara Shadha/ Shravan Nakshatra, which means blessings from Lord Shiva with a victory over enemies.
Vaishnav devotees celebrate Falgun Maha shivratri on which Tithi?
Vaishnav devotees in North India celebrate Falgun Krishna Paksha Chaturdashi as Falgun Maha Shivaratri.
Devotees who cannot observe Vrat for a full day and night, have their Satvik meal (vegetarian, without food grains) only once in the evening after performing Puja and Arati.
Shivratri puja one time or four times during the night.
For this, the whole night duration can be divided into four to get four Prahar to perform Shiva Puja four times.
How to perform Shivratri Puja to please Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati
Observe fast and perform Puja on Falgun Maha Shivratri/ Shravan Shivratri and all four/ five Mondays in Sawan Maas.
List of the articles for Shivratri Puja and Vrat
Arrange Dhatura, Belpatra (Bella-Patra), Bel-fruit Akshat (unbroken rice) flowers, fruits (plums and other seasonal fruits). Take some sweets for the offering.
Arrange Chandan, Dhupa-deep, Camphor for Aarti, Kusha grass for sprinkling, and a spoon.
Also arrange Jal- mixed with Gangajal (Holy water), unboiled milk added to Jal, sugarcane juice, and Panchamruta (Honey, Ghee, Sugar, milk, and curd). Offer this Panchamrit to Lord Shiva and Parvati. Also, offer Jal to Lord Ganesha and Nandi.
Chant Mantra as follows:
Om Namah Shivay 108 times during Shivratri Puja.
Chant Shiv Rudrabhishek Stotram/ Stuti:
Chanting Rudrabhishek Stuti to please Lord Shiva will be helpful to those suffering from Pitra Dosha. Shivratri Puja can be performed at night also.
Rudrabhishek Stotram is as follows:
Shri Shiv Rudrasṭakam
1) Namami shamishan nirvan rupam vibhum vyapakam Brahma veda swaroopam, nijam nirgunam nirvikalpam niriham chidakashmakash vasam bhajeham ||1||
2) Nirakar omkar mulam turiyam gira gyan gotitamisham girisham,karalam mahakal kalam kripalam gunagar sansar param natoaham ||2||
3) Tusharadri sankash gauram gabhiram, mano bhuta koti prabha shri shriram sphuranmauli kallolini charu ganga lasad bhal balendu kanthe bhujanga ||3||
4) Chalat kundalam bhru sunetram vishalam prasannananam nilkantham, dayalam mrigadhish charmambarm munḍa malam priyam Shankaram Sarvanatham bhajami ||4||
5) Prachandam prakrishtam pragalbham paresham, akhandam ajam bhanukotiprakasham trayaha shoola nirmulanam shulapanim bhajeham bhavanipatim bhavagamyam ||5||
6) Kaalatita kalyan kalpantakari sada sajjananandadata purari, chidananda sandoha mohapahari prasida prasida prabho manmathari ||6||
7) Na yavat Umanath padaravindam bhajantiha loke pare va naranaam na tavat, sukham shanti santap nasham prasid prabho sarvabhootadhivasam ||7||
8) Na janami yogam japam naiva pujam natoaham sada sarvada Shambhuha tubhyam, jara janma duhkhaugh tatapyamanam prabho pahi apannamameesha Shambho || 8 ||
Jalabhishek
For Jal-Abhishek or offering holy water to Lord Shiva, the water (Jal) should be added to the little amount of uncooked milk.
It should be put in the brass vessel (Jal-Patra) for Jal-Abhishek or offering holy water to Lord Shiva.
Note: Copper vessels should never be used as Jal-Patra for this Jal (milk and water), as it is considered contaminated.
The date for Jalabhishek or Rudrabhishek on Falgun Maha Shivratri
For Jalabhishek or Rudrabhishek, the auspicious time begins at night on Monday, Falgun Maas, and Mahashivratri on Saturday, February 18, 2023.
Devotees and Kanwariya, who carry Jal in Kanwar or holy pots for offering Jal to God Shiva, come from far-off places on their feet.
Holy temples of Lord Shiva
They visit the holy temples of Kashi, Allahabad, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Ujjain, and Char-dham.
Bhimashankar temple, Trimbakeshwar temple, Baba Vaidyanath temple in Devghar, and Babul Nath Mandir in South Mumbai are famous in India.
Devotees also visit the temples of other cities of the world.
Important Vrat and Puja in Sawan Maas 2023
Hindus dedicate the holy Sawan Shivratri or Shravan Shivratri to Lord Shiva and Goddess Gauri (Maa Parvati). As this Shivaratri falls during Shravan Maas (month) its other name is Sawan Shivratri.
Sawan Pradosh Vrat date
As Sawan Som Pradosh Vrat falls on Monday, August 28, 2023, this year. This day becomes very important for fasting and performing Puja rituals to get blessings from Lord Shiva.
Sawan Shanivar/ Shravan Shanivar date
Sawan Shanivar will be on August 26, 2023. This day is very important as this is the last Shanivar of Sawan Maas.
Generally in the northern and eastern regions where people follow Purnimanta Lunar Calendar, observe Sawan Shanivar Vrat.
Note: Devotees should do both Shiva Puja and Parana (finish the fast) within the Chaturdashi Tithi.
Shravan Shivratri Vrat
Shravan, the fifth month of the Hindu calendar is the most auspicious month for the devotion of Lord Shiva.
Sawan Shivratri is one of the most significant festivals. As this day (Tithi) is the day of the union of two great forces in the universe, i.e. Lord Shiva and Shakti (Goddess Parvati).
Devotees come from different places in large numbers and travel on their feet.
How do the devotees celebrate Shravan Somvar Vrat and Puja?
They take Kanwar filled with holy water (Jal) on their shoulders. They offer this Jal to Shivling and Maa Parvati.
Read also PITRA DOSHA – Causes, Problems, and Remedies
On Sawan Shivratri, People visit famous temples and perform Puja, holy Jalabhishek, or Rudrabhishek with great devotion.
They offer Prasad to Lord Shiva, chant Mantra, and perform Arti on all the Mondays of Sawan.
For those who cannot visit Shiva temple or perform Puja rituals on Shravan- Somvar may visit Shiva temple to perform Puja on any day during the holy month of Shravan.
Significance of observing the fast and Puja rituals
People believe that the long-awaited desires of the devotees are fulfilled by observing Vrat and worshipping Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
Keeping fast on all the Mondays of Shravan, and performing Jalabhishek, Rudrabhishek, and Puja rituals bring peace, prosperity, marital bliss, and good health to the devotees.
Female devotees, who are mainly unmarried girls waiting to get married, also observe fast (Vrat) for consecutive sixteen Mondays or Solah Somvar Vrat.
Solah Somvar Vrat
Solah Somvar Vrat starts on the first Monday of Sawan. Those who observe Solah Somvar Vrat may get married soon with these remedial measures.
Some devotees have their Satvik meal (vegetarian) only once in the evening after performing Puja and Arati.
Also read: Manglik Dosha or Yoga
The significance of Solah Somvar Vrat for sixteen Mondays
If you are facing denial of marriage repeatedly, you should keep fast for sixteen consecutive Mondays or Shravan Somvar Vrata, starting from Shravan month.
The other name of Shravan Somvar Vrat is ‘Solah Somvar Vrat’.
How to perform Solah Somvar Vrat for sixteen Mondays ?
To perform Puja rituals, offer sacred water on Shivling in a Shiva temple and worship Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Also perform the Puja of Lord Ganesha and Nandi for their blessings.
Keep fast on the first Shravan Somvar, during the holy Shravan month, and continue for sixteen Mondays. Also perform all the Puja rituals to please Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
Offer sacred water on Shivling in a Shiva temple and worship Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
Ashadha Shivratri
While in other states, which follow the Amavasyanta calendar, Shravan comes late by a fortnight. As this Shivratri comes in the Ashadha Maas, it is known as Ashadha Shivaratri.
The names of these states which celebrate Ashadha Shivratri are Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.
